Past Episodes

7 July 2013

Archie Roach

Summary

Geraldine Doogue talks to Australian singer-songwriter Archie Roach about his journey of survival and transformation.

One of the Stolen Generations, Archie Roach survived a turbulent upbringing to develop into a powerful voice for Indigenous Australians. More recently he’s experienced the death of his soul-mate Ruby Hunter, and two life-threatening illnesses. All have hit him hard. But he’s transcended these crises emerging with a renewed spirit, love and joy for life, and a new album featuring Gospel music for the first time. To mark the start of NAIDOC Week 7 – 14 July (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) Compass charts Archie Roach’s story.

Story producer: Mark Edmonson

Story researcher: Nicky Ruscoe

More Info

Story

Geraldine Doogue, NarrationArchie Roach is back on the road - promoting his new album. Over the next two days the singer-songwriter will perform three concerts in Sydney, backed by a musical ensemble and a Gospel choir.

Archie Roach, MusicianDoing this show, promoting my record is just such a joy to do.

Geraldine DoogueMaybe its almost as if you feel you have a right to joy. Youve been permitted.

Archie RoachYeah.

Geraldine DoogueThats a big moment in life.

Archie RoachIt is a big thing to find yes I have a right I think I have a right to allow myself some joy and some freedom, and freedom to express that joy as well.

Best Kept Secret Blackout 1991

Geraldine Doogue, NarrationArchie Roach had a far from joyful start in life. In the 1950s he was forcibly removed from his parents home on an aboriginal mission in south-west Victoria. He was 3 years old.

Archie RoachI didnt have much time with my family at all before the authorities came and removed us.

Geraldine Doogue, NarrationArchies older brother and four sisters were taken away too. Archies parents were told it was so they could be brought up properly by white families.

Took the Children Away Archie Roach 1990 Then they took the children away, Took the children away,The children away.Snatched from their mother's breastSaid this is for the bestTook them away.

Geraldine Doogue, NarrationArchies 1990 song Took the Children Away was not only a hit, it focused national attention on Australias Stolen Generations, and became an anthem for their plight.

Took the Children Away Archie Roach 1990 Breaking their mothers heart Tearing us all apartTook them away.

Archie RoachI suppose Id just like people to know a little bit of the pain, a little bit of the hurt. People just look at Aboriginal people and see one thing. They dont know what weve been through.

Geraldine Doogue, NarrationArchie never saw his parents again. He was placed in an orphanage, and then foster homes.

Archie RoachI was really quiet and I wouldnt say much at all.

Geraldine Doogue, NarrationArchie was seven when he was sent to his third foster family - the Coxs in Melbourne  where he stayed.

Geraldine DoogueHow did the experience of that family mould the person you became?

Archie RoachWell Dad Cox was a Scotsman, mum was Australian yeah.

Archie RoachHe was a beautiful man, and a beautiful family. Mum Cox she had this face youd just love, a loving face.

Archie RoachAnd I had a great relationship with Dad Cox, Mum Cox and I loved them. Ill love them till my last day on earth you know.

Geraldine DoogueThey were strong Christians?

Archie RoachYes they were.

Geraldine DoogueDid you believe in God?

Archie RoachYes, I did and I went to church every Sunday. I loved the singing, the old hymns. Onward Christian Soldiers, Old Rugged Cross and things like that...

Geraldine DoogueAnd it was actually through their daughter Mary who was about 12 years older than you that you started really enjoying music was it not?

Archie RoachMary encouraged me actually to start playing the organ. That was the first instrument I played. I was playing organ for a while until I actually picked up a guitar.

Geraldine Doogue, NarrationWhen Archie was 14 he received a letter at school that would turn his world upside down.

Archie RoachOver the intercom over the speakers they asked for could Archibald William Roach please come to the office. And that was odd in itself because I was using my foster parents name, Archie Cox.

Archie RoachSo I opened up the letter and started to read it. And the first line said: Dear brother, Mum passed away a week ago.

Archie RoachWell you know I thought that my mother and father had passed away a long time ago. I was confused. Thats when everything started to I dunno... unravel ...

Geraldine Doogue, NarrationArchie had grown up believing all his family had perished in a house fire; that he alone had survived. Thats what his foster family were told too.

Down City Streets Archie Roach Down city streets I would roam I had no bed I had no home

Geraldine Doogue, NarrationThe revelation that his aboriginal mum had been alive nearby, and that he had siblings, would catapult Archie on a journey that would change, and shadow - his whole life.

Archie RoachI felt I was betrayed. Nobody told me, that they didnt tell me or nobody, anybody should have told me that my mother was still alive and my father. I had brothers and sisters.

Geraldine Doogue, NarrationPenniless, he travelled to Sydney and Adelaide, living on the streets, searching for his aboriginal family; trying to make sense of who he was.

Archie Roach Down City Streets I had no bed,I had no homeThere was nothing That I ownedUsed my fingers as a comb

Archie RoachPretty bad, I hit rock bottom as they say, you know like alcoholics anonymous. Drank pretty heavily, I was only 15 and living on the streets you know just getting handouts, clothes and food, meals.

Geraldine Doogue, NarrationIt was at this time Archie met the great love of his life Ruby Hunter.

Archie Roach & Ruby Hunter: Live at Brewarrina 1995Like Romeo and Juliet, a love story you wont forget..

Archie RoachI was struck by Ruby attracted first because physically she was a beautiful person, beautiful young woman, beautiful big eyes.

Archie RoachWe are pretty much opposites, exact opposites. I was very quiet always quiet. Wouldnt talk much to people. She didnt know that I was a quiet fella and broody, nobody talked to me and she just kept talking. I warmed to that. I thought she was an amazing person.

Ruby HunterThis place here is the Peoples Palace where Archie and I met.

Geraldine Doogue, NarrationArchie and Ruby had a shared history: She was also taken from her Aboriginal family and fostered into a white family. Archie recorded Rubys song Down City Streets on his debut album in 1990, and Ruby became the first Aboriginal woman to release a solo album a few years later.

Let my children be Ruby Hunter 1994Let my children beLet them free

Geraldine Doogue So she had a big generosity of spirit.

Archie RoachYes she just had this nurturing spirit, thats why she was such a great mother.

Geraldine Doogue, NarrationArchie and Ruby raised their two sons and three foster children, and forged a music career together.

Archie RoachI didnt want anything to do with recording, doing albums or the recording industry or being in the spotlight. I said no I dont think Ill do an album Ruby, and thats when she looked at me, hands on the hips, Its not all about you Archie Roach. And she reminded me of who we were and what responsibility is as indigenous people.

Geraldine DoogueIts a big responsibility in a way isnt it?

Archie RoachIt is but you realise you never do anything as an indigenous person for yourself, its always for your people.

Geraldine DoogueIt was a great love story. You had quite a few ups and downs by the sound of it. Particularly the drink. She did finally stare you down over that didnt she?

Archie RoachShe did yeah and she came back one night and she said, Thats it. Thats it Archie Roach no more. I dont want to drink any more; I dont want to live this life any more. Its got to be something better. And she was the one that envisaged something better where I couldnt see it at the time.

Archie RoachSo I had to make a choice. I had to decide and I said whats it going to be. Is it going to be the grog, live this sort of life or your family? I didnt have to think too hard about that. Family won hands down.

Archie RoachFor the first time I could see Ruby and see my children with sober eyes and it was a great feeling.

News reporter: The Deadly Awards 2002The 8th National Indigenous Music, Sport and Entertainment and Community awards were held at the Opera House. It was billed as a night of glam frocks and black rock.

Geraldine Doogue, NarrationArchie and Ruby continued their musical journey touring national and international stages and winning awards.

News reporter: The Deadly Awards 2002Among many other entertainment awards Album of the year and best male artist went to Archie Roach. Archie: I give thanks to my people, I give thanks to the old people of this land here because the old spirits are in the house with us here tonight...

Geraldine Doogue, NarrationArchie and Ruby also got behind community events ... Like trying to save a local church and its adjacent hall, in country Victoria where theyd settled.

News reporter: 7:30 Report 2009For the Friends of St Brigids tonights concern is a last ditch attempt to raise the money they need. Headlining the evening is singer Archie Roach, one of the Gunditjmara people who grew up not far from the church. Archie on stage: Once they keep chipping away at that old community spirit, it's just going to up and go.

Archie RoachWe were part of Saving Saint Brigids, this church because it was put up for sale. And so yeah we got involved with that to try and raise some funds to buy the church back. But not just funds but to raise awareness of what the community wanted.

Geraldine Doogue, NarrationJust over three years ago Archie and Rubys shared life journey ended abruptly.

News reader: ABC News 2010The pioneering Aboriginal singer/songwriter Ruby Hunter has died of a heart attack. The 54 year old was the first Indigenous woman to be signed to a major record label.

Ken Sumner, Uniting Church MinisterTo this little Coorong girl that came from amongst the scrub down at the One Mile Camp, Bonny Reserve, this lady that has travelled the world, stood and sat with many different people, she has enjoyed her life. And Archie has been there with her, together to the end.

Archie RoachI dont know if people can imagine. You wake up with the person you love in the morning and you go to bed that night without them alone, and try to come to terms with you will never be lying by my side again. It just couldnt comprehend it, it was so overwhelming. Youre just in this strange place where nothing matters any more.

Archie RoachI couldnt sleep much but I got up one morning sitting there looking at myself in the mirror and I looked a mess. It was like I could hear Ruby talking, and she was saying, Just look at you.. youve never looked like this. Even when you were drinking and on the grog you never looked like this. And I just made an effort to go clean myself up and tried to deal with her loss.

Archie Roach, singingAnd Ruby of the river....

Archie RoachWhen we first started doing shows without Ruby we always had a chair and a microphone in her honour on stage whenever I performed. But shes not very far away.

Mulyawongk Archie RoachAnd the voice of the Mulyawongk is calling me. The voice of the Mulyawongk is calling me... (Applause)

Geraldine Doogue, NarrationEight months after Rubys death Archie was dealt another blow. While teaching music to children on a remote community in Western Australia, he suffered a debilitating stroke.

Archie RoachI couldnt actually walk. It took intensive rehabilitation to start walking again and even playing the guitar, and simple things like buttoning a shirt, making a cup of tea.

Geraldine Doogue, NarrationWhen Archie did get back on his feet he had trouble breathing.

Archie RoachThey took the chest X ray and noticed a shadow on my lungs. And after a while a couple of months it was diagnosed as the early stages of lung cancer.

Geraldine Doogue, NarrationHe had half his left lung removed, and was worried he wouldnt be able to sing again.

Geraldine DoogueWhat do you think now, now that you are well thank goodness? What do you think about all of that illness? Can you make sense of it?

Archie RoachSometimes things that happen in your life, can manifest itself in sickness in your body, physical sickness. It had a bit to do with Rubys passing, and whats happened with me when I was younger and been taken from the family, finding out that my mother was alive and all that sort of stuff. It finally took its toll on my body.

Geraldine DoogueAnd do you think youve let things go now? Like do you really think in this phase that youre in which is so much more full of joy, do you think you have actually let more go than you had in the past?

Archie RoachI have let a lot of things go. Some things I havent you know but you can deal with that now.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd To the Stolen Generations, I say the following. As Prime Minister of Australia I am sorry. (applause).

Archie RoachWhen the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said sorry to the stolen generations it was like something shifted. There was weight that was lifted from my shoulders personally. And it was like I received, I accepted that apology. Not just on my behalf but on behalf of my mother and my father and my children. So for me it was a great thing.

Archie RoachA lot of people can say well Archies changed his tune, forgiving of people who have done this to him. I mean I wont forget but Im not going to let it burden me and weigh me down and make me sick any more. Its time to get better and time to heal.

Old Mission Road Archie RoachI wish I had grown with my mother back home, cause I miss her sweet kisses and her smiles...

Geraldine Doogue, NarrationArchies life has turned full circle.

Archie Roach talking with Tracy RoachSometimes you get a feeling that the old people are still here you know...

Geraldine Doogue, NarrationHe lives in south-western Victoria again, near the Framlingham Aboriginal Reserve where he spent the first years of his life. And he visits from time to time.

Archie RoachThis was also where we finally came back to live. And this is where I was taken from as a little boy. My mother was born here on this old mission. And even though shes not buried here. My mums family, my mums relatives, cousins, aunties and uncles are all buried here.

Archie RoachI suppose I dont come back as often as Id like to, to this place. But when I do come back its always, I think as you get older too theres always a stronger feeling. This strong attraction that draws you to this place and you feel peaceful. Even though I havent spent much time here you still get that feeling of belonging to this place, to that spirit of place, genius loci as Manning Clark called it, spirit of place.

Archie RoachI started to believe that if you are close to the earth you are closer to God or the creator.

Geraldine DoogueIs it like a blend now for you of the idea of a God and this earth with a spirit life. Is it a blend or has one replaced the other?

Archie RoachIts probably a bit of a blend. In the foster homes I was brought up with Christian beliefs and then later on discovering my Aboriginal beliefs. I think summing it up...

Archie RoachRather than Christian or religious Im spiritual. Im a spiritual man. And thats what I call myself, thats how I define myself today.

Archie Roach: Live at the State Theatre 2013Sometimes weve just got to put on our dancing shoes...

Geraldine Doogue, NarrationArchies Sydney concerts in January included a sell-out performance at the State Theatre ... His new songs reflecting his re-invigorated spirit.

Archie RoachIts uplifting, its joyous. And I think doing it and writing the songs and actually the process of recording the album I could feel myself getting better. And so its a healing album.

Geraldine Doogue, NarrationHis new album also features Gospel music for the first time.

Archie Roach Ive always loved Gospel music ever since I first heard it and sung Gospel music. Its not necessarily the message or what it says or what its saying, its the feeling that you get from Gospel music. You want to get up and clap your hands and stomp your feet and raise your hands and just like its joy, joy of life to be alive and joy being part of a community, bigger community and sharing that.

Geraldine DoogueArchie how would you like to be remembered?

Archie RoachWell probably as someone as a person who has been knocked down quite a few times with share of heartache and sadness, but who just rose above that and has a more optimistic and joyous outlook on life and grateful for just being alive and appreciating not just each day but life and all it has to offer, people.